.:CONTiNUATiON OF FLASHBACK:.

"But Ryan," I whined, "I don't want to live like this anymore!"

"Er…um, Shar? You're kind of…cutting off my blood circulation," Ryan lifted his hand, which conveniently had mine entwined onto his. I didn't notice that I had been gripping his hand out of frustration. The grip must have been tight because when I let go, red marks were patched around the spot where my hand used to be.

"Sorry," I flushed a deep shade of pink and mentally cursed myself out for always being such a baby. I mean, yeah, a person could have flaws, but I had all of these stupid childish habits. I even made a mental list of them. First, the hand-grabbing has got to go. Second, why do I sleep with a pink rabbit plushie named Princess Sharberry? PRINCESS SHARBERRY! It's like, come on, get a grip, Sharpay. You're fourTEEN, not four! And let's not get started on the fact that I'm scared of th—

"I can't live like this either, but we can try…together."

I really, really, really wanted to reach over there and hug him then. But I restrained myself.

"Okay."

A few minutes in silence passed.

"Ry?"

"Yeah?"

"Am I really an Ice Queen?" I asked him, pretty much afraid of the answer. That was one of the questions that haunted me for life. Sure, I was sort of snippy towards others, but was I as bad as everybody says?

He paused. "Well, Shar, it's mostly your attitude towards others. Other than that, you have GOT to be one of the most sensitive people I know. Aw, come on, no more tears," he added, seeing the proof that I actually was sensitive glistening in my eyes.

"But nobody knows what goes on in my life! Nobody knows who I REALLY am!" My voice was getting unnaturally hysterical, and I didn't like it. "It's a mask, Ryan. My personality is a mask. But I don't want anybody else to know how my life is, so that's why I keep it on. I'm scared of what people would think if they knew the real me!" I looked down.

Ryan lifted my head back up with his hand. "Maybe you should try. You never know what good things could happen if you showed everyone your real personality." I nodded.

"I guess…but still." I clutched Princess Sharberry tighter. "I don't think I can do it, though!"

"It's okay if you don't change right away, but remember that it could be surprising if you did change," he told me. I let out a shaky sigh.

"Okay…"

It was Ryan's turn to sigh. "Come on, Shar. Smile for me, please?" He grinned at me, and I managed a small smile. "You're almost there…smile! I want to see you smile for once!" I just bit my lip and looked at him. Then, seeing I wasn't making any progress, he unexpectedly lifted me up and spun me around. I tried to stop it, but I giggled slightly. He knows that I hate when he does that…but usually when I was little, it would always make me laugh.

"I hate you, Ryan Lucas Evans!" I joked. "Put me down! Put me down!" I was laughing again for the first time in what felt like years. He did, and a huge, genuine smile was plastered on my face.

"There's the smile I've missed!" he said. "Oh and by the way, we're going to the kitchen right now."

Huh? "What for…?" I asked.

He took me by the hand and led me downstairs. "You're way to thin. I'm seriously gonna shove all the contents of the refrigerator down your throat." We both cracked up.

.:END OF FLASHBACK:.


Oh yeah, a question for my fellow reviewers! Do you know what year thestudents in High School Musical were in? I probably didn't catch it. And by the way, I'm pretty slow at catching onto things! Heh. Was it the sophomore or junior year?Just wondering, so I know when to stop the past and work on thepresent!